Chris’ Walk raises money, awareness for drug prevention
Beacon-News staff July 23, 2012 2:06PM
Clayton Muhammad, public relations officer for East Aurora High School, shares a laugh with Denise Crosby, senior columnist for The Sun Times Media West and the 2012 recipient of the community service award for Chris' Walk Against Substance Abuse. Muhammad, who presented Crosby with the award, was a featured speaker at the five-year-old organization's 5K run fundraiser, founded by Anita Lewis, after the death of her nephew, Chris Foley, from a heroin overdose. | Michele du Vair~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: August 26, 2012 6:06AM
Five years ago, 27-year-old Christopher Foley, from St. Charles, died from a heroin overdose. And since then, his family and friends have dedicated much of their lives to awareness, education, and prevention activities to combat the growing drug problem in the Fox Valley.
On Friday, Chris’ Walk Against Substance Abuse held a 5K run and one-mile walk at the Batavia Riverwalk to raise money for the program. This “Night Out Against Substance Abuse” drew about 150 walkers — along with 39 runners, many of them from The Fox Valley Misfits Running Club.
According to Anita Lewis, Chris’ aunt and a member of the Chris’ Walk board, final numbers are not yet tallied but she believes the event raised more than $3,000. Much of that money is earmarked for the prison ministry at Wayside Cross in Aurora, as well as for material donated to the Kane County jail.
Denise Crosby, senior columnist for Sun-Times Media West, was presented with the group’s Community Service Award for her many stories over the past year documenting the heroin problem in Kane, Kendall and DuPage counties.
Introducing Crosby was the featured speaker for the evening, Clayton Muhammad, public relations director for the East Aurora School District and founder of Boys II Men mentoring club.
Host for the run was Kane County Sheriff’s Deputy Ron Hain, who won the community service award last year for his work in seizing large amount of drugs, specifically heroin.
To top off the evening, Flat Cats played live music, which drew the attention of casual observers as they took advantage of the Riverwalk on a beautiful summer night. Lewis said the group chose this location so that even those passing by can catch a glimpse of what Chris’ Walk is all about.
To learn more about or donate to the drug awareness program, visit www.chriswalk.net.
